Donald Banning, the former mayor of Troy, died at a nursing home in Bigfork on Jan. 11. He was 73.
Banning had been battling cancer for a number of years and is survived by his wife and two children.
The Troy-native and U.S. Navy veteran worked in communications before retiring in the 1980s. He was elected to the Troy City Council in 2000 and then mayor in 2009.
During his time as mayor, Banning frequently butted heads with the city council. In February 2012, city councilor Fran McCully filed a petition to recall Banning, alleging that the mayor abused his power. A special election was held in May of that year with 190 people voting for the recall and 123 voting against it.
Banning maintained that he did not abuse his office and in 2013 planned to run for mayor again before ultimately deciding against a return.
Troy Mayor Darren Coldwell said the city council will likely mark Banning’s passing at an upcoming meeting.
“Don steered our community through some rough waters and after sitting in the same chair he sat in I can appreciate his passion for the job,” Coldwell said.
Services were held on Jan. 14 in Troy.